Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Could the responses of Starbucks and ABC be an indication that corporate America values the lives of people of color more than their dollars? I’m not sure what it all means at this juncture, but I must admit that the actions of both companies have been incredibly progressive and accurate. Initially when I heard the response of Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, I thought maybe he had surrounded himself with excellent public relations staff. But as the weeks passed since the false arrest of two brothers in a Philadelphia Starbucks, I’m convinced that Johnson represents a different type of corporate ethos.
ABC President Channing Dungey (Photo Credit thegrio.com)
His recent comments on CNN only further cemented my assessment of his actions. While a guest on the Don Lemon program Johnson, pushed even harder with the following statement, “I had a deep sense of accountability to take on the issue of race.” Comments such as these have the ability to ignite a new type of group think that can ultimately lead to a more just society. As Americans we see things in dollars and cents, but we also assess from a lens of competition. My hope is that we will now see a race amongst corporations to try and be the best responders to injustice and inequity in society.
Starbucks closed over 8,000 stores and paid it’s more than 175,000 employees to be trained on issues of anti-bias behavior and cultural competency. And the training doesn’t end there, Johnson noted that this is one of twelve modules that will be rolled out over a period of time, emphasizing their commitment to helping employees meet a standard of equity. On the day of the store-wide training it was announced that ABC President and CEO, a black woman, Channing Dungey put the breaks on the “Roseanne” show. I actually heard of the cancellation before I heard of the allegations.
In both instances the major forces of capital had every available opportunity to do the least, yet they did the most. They clearly counted the cost and determined that the value of marginalized humans was worth more to a community fed up with the constant disregard of its people over profits. But I believe the real game changers in all of this are the two brothers from the coffee shop, Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson. They defied the expected stereotypical response of most brothers caught in such a situation. They did not use this as a moment to “Get Paid.” Instead they settled with Starbucks for $1 each and an agreement from the city to invest in young people. I believe it was that act of selfless intuition that paved the way for Johnson to conceive a $12 million loss on a Tuesday evening. At the end of the day it was far less than what it may have cost in a court of law.
As we prepare to honor the great contributions of Americans at the varied award shows this year I hope that these two, not so obvious leaders, emerge to the top of everyone’s list, they certainly are at the top of mine.
The challenge will always be in the follow up. Starbucks employees have received training, but what happens and what will be the response should a similar incident occur in another Starbucks in another city? Kudos to ABC for taking action quickly in regards to Roseanne, unfortunately, they knew who she was when they decided to reboot the show, but money and potential ratings success drove them to jump back in bed with one who had a history of fleas. Great post, keep up the fine work!